LA Rams draft taking shape with award of 3 needed compensatory picks

The LA Rams certainly rely upon awarded compensatory draft picks. The mystery of how the NFL awards compensatory draft picks puzzled NFL fans for years. But thanks to the tireless efforts of more persons than I could possibly name here, that code has been cracked. It’s a good thing because, without the hope of compensatory picks being awarded, the LA Rams 2021 NFL Draft was about as glum of a draft as I had ever witnessed in NFL history.

NFL teams are awarded seven picks each year, one in each round. But the Rams had chosen to cash in those picks for the rights to veteran players. To that end, the LA Rams traded away their 2021 NFL Draft first and fourth-round picks to the Jacksonville Jaguars for All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The team traded their third-round pick to the Detroit Lions as part of a package to get quarterback Matthew Stafford. And the team traded away their fifth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for interior offensive lineman Austin Corbett.

That left the team with just their second-round, sixth-round, and seventh-round picks. Not only would the Rams not pick in round one this year, but their entire draft left little hope for the team.

Well until today, that is.

Today’s news not only has doubled the Rams number of picks but adds three additional picks within the Top 150 selections. Before today’s announcement, the Rams had just one pick in the first 150 selections.  Now? They have four. And we know how valuable draft picks can be in the hands of LA Rams GM Les Snead.

We know one thing. Until that draft day arrives, you simply cannot rule out the hope for the LA Rams to swing a trade or two that will bring draft picks to the team. A year ago, the Rams scored a coveted second-round draft pick for wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Could the Rams ship a veteran for one or more valuable picks this year?

Necessity is the mother of invention. If LA Rams GM Les Snead feels that the Rams need more picks in this draft, he will find a way to land them.